When it comes to football, there are few moments as exhilarating as a perfectly executed free kick. From the precision of Roberto Carlos' run-up to the swerve of Beckham's ball, every element must come together seamlessly for a free kick to find the back of the net. In the Premier League, there are a handful of players who have mastered this art, making them a constant threat to opposing teams whenever a set-piece opportunity arises. We're exploring some of the best free kick takers in Premier League's history, taking a closer look at their techniques, strengths, and notable moments. Whether it's a curling shot from the edge of the box or a powerful strike from distance, these players have the ability to turn a game on its head with a single kick.
Beckham
Achieving 18 free kick goals in the Premier League, David Beckham probably sits at the top of this list. Throughout Beckham’s stellar career he achieved a total of 32 direct free kick goals across all competitions, there have been too many memorable ones to choose from.
James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse has converted almost 15% of his free-kicks into goals, an astonishingly good statistic. Since the early 2000s, the only players to achieve more goals from direct free-kicks are Messi & Ronaldo (not a bad group of names to be bunched with). If James Ward-browse continues with this run of free kick form, he is likely to break plenty of records.
Thierry Henry
Not particularly known as a free-kick taker, Thierry Henry scored a decent 12 direct free-kicks during his time in the Premier League. Arguably one of the best players in English history, Henry had an unmatched eye for the goal netting multiple cheeky goals against Chelsea & Aston Villa by taking the free-kick quickly leaving the opposition exposed.
Cristiano Ronaldo
This requires little to no explanation, right? We can all remember the iconic, stylish and memorable belters scored by CR7.
Gianfranco Zola
Zola was twice made Player of the Year and in 2003 was voted as Chelsea’s greatest ever player. You don’t get those kind of titles without being one of the most influential players on the pitch, due to his creativity and versatility he was also nicknamed the ‘Magix Box’. Zola was truly a magician, whipping the ball into the back of the net time and time again.
In summary, the Premier League is home to some of the best free kick takers in football, with each player bringing their unique style and technique to the spot. These players have honed their skills through years of practice and experience, and their ability to score from free kicks can often be the difference between a win and a loss. From the legendary free kick takers of the past like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo to the current crop of talent, the Premier League has consistently produced some of the most memorable free-kick moments in football history.
Have we forgotten any other legendary free-kick takers?
